Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Sears House Kits

[Philip Dowds (rpdowds]

“Pre-approved plans” for standardized, market-worthy housing may have a role to 
play in the development process … but I’m not sure we have a breakthrough here. 
 Yes, complete and completely compliant construction drawings and specs adapted 
to the State and locality (e.g., hurricane clips on the framing) help clear one 
important hurdle (the local building inspector).  Another hurdle unmentioned 
but perhaps transcended is that of local design review, where an Authority 
Having Jurisdiction (like the planning board) has agreed that the design is 
“appropriate to the character of the neighborhood”.  (Groveland has an Article 
6, Florida Vernacular Requirements, which stipulates rules for window 
proportions and exposed-to-the-elements rafter tails.)

But there’s lots more that is site specific.  Subdivision rules set minimum 
(and sometimes intentionally costly) standards for street layout and width, 
public utilities, etc.  Maybe garages facing the street have been designed away 
… but where are the cars parked, really?  Local zoning is blown off as resolved 
— and yet, if the applicable zoning prohibits commercial uses, then the 
live/work units are off the menu.  Also unmentioned are all the inefficiencies 
of single family home construction; if we’re looking for lower cost in 
accessible design, multi-family buildings (“apartments”) are the way to go.

Construction quality alternatives are also not addressed.  For instance, 
windows engineered to withstand a Cat 3 hurricane are more expensive 
(surprise!) than “standard” windows.  Are they required?  Should they be?  What 
happened to LEED?  Important?  Unimportant?  Unaffordable?

Stock plans pre-approved by the locality are an interesting option, and 
Groveland should get credit due for its initiative.  However, I’m not yet 
seeing that municipal stock plans will be a major contribution to solving our 
American housing problem.

------------------
Thanks, RPD
617.460.4549

On August 1, 2023 at 6:48:41 PM, Katie Henry (katie-henry [at] att.net) wrote:

Sharon Villines wrote:
No one could design a kit that could be built just anywhere or even in most 
places because there are so many local requirements.
--------------------------

Strong Towns just published an article about a Florida city with a library of 
pre-approved house plans, which is a similar concept. 

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2023/7/31/florida-city-prepares-pre-approved-plans-to-lower-barriers-for-small-developers


Several Texas cities have pre-approved plans for ADUs, with variations 
depending on lot size and configuration. 


In the meantime, my former NJ town is tied up in knots over proposed changes to 
the master plan that might allow a few two-family homes. Interesting how 
different regions are responding (or not responding) to the housing shortage.


Katie Henry
Heartwood Commons - Tulsa
https://www.heartwoodcommonstulsa.com/
Under construction. The geothermal AC is up and running, and the kitchen 
cabinets are being installed.







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